Redtail Rise Deadlatch

Some rights had been wronged, though that didn’t mean all was well. Despite his hideous behavior toward them, Masque missed @Ancelin. The rise had lost two undeniably dedicated members, not to mention a pair of adept hunters and guardians. Although the situation wasn’t dire, they knew it put immense pressure on the youngest members of the pack to hone their skills ahead of wintertime.

All four of their younger siblings showed quite a lot of promise, @Saturday’s Sunrise too. Although Masque favorited @Mulherin in many ways, they couldn’t help but think @Watcher in particular had shown incredible prowess at the recent pack hunt. They wanted to find her today and acknowledge this, though they would be just as happy to bump into any of the youths, @Carrion and @Redsky included.

They walked across the rise, long tail flicking as they searched for their kin.

In the past days, he's been more reclusive than usual. The tensions in the Rise seem to tire him. His face seems darker, more worn. Conversations seem to slip from his grasp like water.

He feels like a ghost. 

His idling is interrupted once the boy senses Masquerade's presence. They are but a flash of silver amongst the brush ahead as they walked along. He waits for a moment, seeing if they would turn back and notice him. They don't.

Silently, he goes and follows after them, for no reason other than lukewarm curiosity.

A feeling of disquiet threaded through them as they padded through the forests dappling the rise. Masquerade drew in a steadying breath and tried to focus on the task at hand, though they couldn’t shake their unease. They wondered at it. The dust hadn’t quite settled, of course, but they could think of no cause for this abrupt and poignant apprehension.

And then they thought they heard a noise behind them and whipped their head around, golden eyes catching a glimpse of a dark figure shadowing them. The knot in their chest loosened immediately and Masquerade’s breath whooshed out of their chest, half dry laughter.

You got me good, Mul, they remarked, pivoting to face him properly. I have no doubt you and the others will be master hunters by year’s end, Masque added, padding toward him.

As they came closer, they could better see the look on his face, in his eye. They almost asked him if everything was alright. But of course it wasn’t. The rise had just gone through a reckoning of sorts. The pups had been dragged along for the bumpy ride.

How are you? Talk to me, Masquerade coaxed in their smoky voice.

Thanks for nabbing, bruvver!

Masque notices him before he can announce his presence. They startle, but only slightly.

He offers a small smile, butting the crown of his head into their side; an affectionate apology for the scare. Their following praise earns a half-hearted, breathy chuckle.

As for how he was? That was complicated.

Tired. Comes his answer. Succinct, but painfully accurate. Though, his concern is less on himself and more on Masquerade. Playing mediator and facilitating the pack's politics can't be an easy task. He wonders if anyone has checked up on them, rather than the other way around.

How are you? He asks simply, head tilting.

Let’s sit then, Masquerade suggested, and talk.

They looked around for a good spot, then motioned for Mulherin to follow them toward the base of a Pacific madrone. The weak sunlight filtered down through its spindly, winding limbs, creating a spiderweb of light and shadow in the grass below. They settled there with a small huff, waiting for their brother to join them.

I’m tired too. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, haven’t they? I do feel hopeful that everything will settle down now. I mean, it’s sort of my job now to make that happen.

Their lips curved into a small smile. Masquerade was once more the pack’s caretaker, in a much more powerful capacity. They took their duties more seriously than ever, embracing their role as the pack’s peacemaker.

Don’t worry, the power hasn’t gone to my head, Masque quipped, and I haven’t forgotten any of you. I’m Caru again. More than ever, it’s my job to guide you. But with everything that had happened, they had to wonder, Do you think you’re still interested in being a leader yourself someday?